Raleigh, N.C. - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte men's basketball team opened their 2026-27 season at the Peace Classic on Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats took on N.C. Wesleyan on Friday night, falling 94-84. JWU led for the first eight minutes before the Battling Bishops seized control, taking as much as a eleven point lead before JWU closed the half on a 12-2Â run to trail by one one point at the half, 43-42.Â
The second half was close throughout, as each team took turns with the lead. N.C. Wesleyan outscored JWU by five in the game's last four minutes to secure the 94-84 win.
Jordan Appling and
Cole Callaway each set new career highs with 29 points each. Callaway also grabbed 10 rebounds. The Wildcats outrebounded the Battling Bishops by nine, while shooting 46.9% from the field.
Saturday saw the Wildcats face off with the event hosts, Willliam Peace. The Pacers scored the game's first five points. JWU quickly responded, taking an 8-7 lead on a
DJ Benbow jumper at the 16:38 mark, as they would never trail again in the game. The Wildcats shot 51.5% in the first half, and led by as many as 15 points. Their lead never fell below 10 points in the second half as they kept the Pacers at arms length for the twenty minutes, eventually winning 83-66.
Four Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Appling's 13. Callaway and Benbow had 12 each, while
Gavin Bullock added 11.
Miles Leaks posted a career-high 11 rebounds, 10 of which came on the defensive end.
JWU returns home on Friday, 11/13 as they host St. Mary's College of Maryland at 6pm.
